PARIS - Siya Kolisi's Racing 92 head to La Rochelle in the final round of the French Top 14's regular season on Saturday as one of five clubs eyeing the final two play-off spots.
A win for Racing on the Atlantic coast against fifth-placed La Rochelle would guarantee them a spot in next weekend's matches with the hosts, Perpignan, Castres and Clermont also in with a chance.
A defeat would leave Racing's hopes depending on other results as they look to avoid missing out on the play-offs for the first time since promotion to the Top 14 in 2009.
Iconic back-rower Kolisi joined the sixth-placed Parisians this season after leading South Africa to a second straight Rugby World Cup in October.
"There are a lot of competitors in the team who are energised by the challenge," Racing head coach Stuart Lancaster told reporters on Thursday.
"Now we've got to his point, all the work, it comes down to this weekend," the former England coach added.
Adding to the drama is that of all the games start at the same time and teams will be separated by their head-to-head record if they finish on the same amount of points.
Seventh-placed Perpignan go to Pau, Castres in eighth spot travel to Bayonne and Clermont in ninth host struggling Montpellier.
"It's pretty unique," Lancaster said.
"If you worry too much about what everyone else is doing you lose focus on your own performance and you lose the game," he added.